Automatic machine for vulcanizing rubber soles on boots and shoes



A118d 4, 1953 G. MEDIANO cAPDEvlLA 2,647,281

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR VULCANIZING RUBBER SOLES ON BOOTS AND SHOES Filed Dec. 27, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 @i J4 i 16 1 41.4/ 554/ 5? 16 17E 'ly/fn INVENI'OR Aug 4, 1953 G. MEDIANO cAPDEvlLA 2,647,281 AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR VULCANIZING RUBBER SOLES ON BOOTS AND SHOES Filed Dec. 27, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT'OR ATTORNEYS Aug- 4, 1953 G. MEDIAN cAPDEvlLA 2,647,281

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR VULCANIZING RUBBER SOLES ON BOOTS AND SHOES Filed Dec. 27, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 I mdljj ATTORNEYS .T1/Z3 rE.. 3. 3l A.. lill ug- 4, 1953 G. MEDIANQ cAPDEvlLA 2,647,281

. l AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR VULCANIZING RUBBER SOLES ON BOOTS AND SHOES Filed Dec. 27, 1949 s sheetsSneet 4 ATTORNEYS 'Allg 4, 1953 G. MEDIANO cAPDEvlLA 2,647,281

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR VULCANIZING RUBBER SOLES ON BOOTS AND SHOES Filed Dc. 27, 1949 .I Il llrl ATTORNEYS l A118 4, 1953 G. MEDIANO cAPDEvlLA 2,647,281

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR VULCANIZING RUBBER SOLES 0N BOOTS AND SHOES 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 27, 1949 f is..

www j 0f .mf M QW (3 w` (5 ATTORNEYS MEDIANO CAPDEVILA ATIC MACHINE G. 2,647,281 AUToM FOR vuLcANIzINq Boo'rs AND SHOES Aug. 4, 1953 sheets-:Shear 7' RUBBER SOLES ON Filed Dec. 27, 1949 IN VENTOR fm2@- @Zaag lllli ATTORNEYS MEDIANO CAPDEVILA ATIC MACHINE Aug. 4, 1953 G. 2,647,281

AUToM FoR VULCANIZING RUBBER SOLES oN BooTS AND SHOES Filed De. 27, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 @WNI NWN

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WGW MMWR Patented Aug. 4, 1953 AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR VULCANIZING RUBBER SOLES ON BOOTS AND SHOES Gonzalo Mediano Capdevila, Barcelona, Spain, f assignor to Coturno, S. A., Caracas, Venezuela,

a corporation of Venezuela Application yDecember 27, 1949, Serial No. 135,246

In Spain March 30, 1946 This application is a continuation-impart of abandoned application Serial No. 684,670 filed July 19, 1946.

The present invention relates to shoe manufacture and is particularly directed toan automatic machiney for uniting by vulcanization a. rubber sole to the upper of a boot or shoe. The term sole may be construed to also include the heel.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine comprising a last and a mold consisting of three parts movable relatively to the last and constituted by a sole platform and a pair of jaws adapted to shape respectively the undersurface and the two side .edges o-f the sole together with appropriate heating means.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved machine whch operates automatically or largely automaticallyA and which is especially suitable for use in uniting a rubber sole to a boot or shoe upper of material, such as leather, liable to be damaged by exposure to high temperature.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine embodying two jaws which close upon the 'bottom edges of the boot or shoe upper and exert lateral compression thereagainst.

-A further object of the invention is to provide a reciprocating sole platform upon which unvulcanized rubber is placed which is vdesigned to be united to the boot or shoe upper.

A further object of the invention is to provide a period of immobility of the machine while the parts constituting the mold are exerting pressure during the vulcanization.

A still further object of the invention is to provide for the opening of certain jaws to release the boot-*or shoe and the descent of a platform upon completion of the vulcanization.

y Another object of the invention is to provide for'a proper sequence of the operations above outlined so that they can be performed automatically and the operator is only required to attend to the machine for the insertion of the parts of the boot or shoe preparatory to vulcanization and the extraction of the vulcanized boot or shoe from the machine. Consequently one operator can attend to several machine, since they effect all the operations necessary for uniting the sole tothe upper by vulcanization in a predetermined interval of time.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means whereby suitable pressures for the different periods of vulcanization are automatically applied.

A still further object of theinvention is to pro- 12 Claims. (Cl. 18-1'7)v vide electrical controls for the operation of the machine so that after operation has been initiated the machine will automatically carry the vulcanization of the sole to the upper to completion while insuring that the material of the upper is not damaged by heat. f

A still further object of the invention is to pro-v vide cooling means as desired to prevent any damage to the upper during the vulcanization step.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a machine including a rigid frame, a rockable bridge comprising a head having on its under side means for the attachment of a last in an upright position, the bridge also comprising two depending arms pivotally connected at their lower ends to said frame, guides rigidly mounted on said bridge and supporting a pair Vof jaws' which are adapted to shape the two side edges of the sole and which are slidable towards and away from each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of rocking movement of the bridge, means cooperating with the jaws and the frame to urge the jaws together in response to rocking movement of the bridge, a platform which is adapted to shape the under side of the sole, the platform being provided withjheating means and connected to an elevating device mounted in the frame, and actuating means serving first to displace the bridge so as to close the jaws and thereafter to operate the elevating device to raise the platform into position to compress the sole against the last. The means for urging the jaws together may constitute struts each pivotally connected to one of the jaws and to the frame.

In a preferred arrangement the said actuatingV in either direction, the shaft being pivotally con-` nected to the bridge, and the arrangement being such that rotation of the gear member can cause.

axial displacement of the shaft without its rotation, whereby the bridge is rocked. This 'shaftA may be provided with'two clutch members disposed respectively on opposite sides of the hub of the gear member and adapted to engage com plementary clutch members on this hub when the shaft reaches the respective limits of itsr range of axial displacement, whereby rotations in the two directions is imparted to the shaft on completion of' its axial displacements. vThe actuating means may also include a shaft coupled by a universal joint to the said screwthreaded shaft and drivably connected to the elevating device.

The axial displacements of the shaft in the two directions correspond respectively to the stages of opening and closing of the jaws, and. the rotary movement of the shaft, at the end of the axial displacement effecting the closing of the jaws, corresponds to the period in which the platform ascends and presses the rubber sole with different pressures against the upper on the last.

The actuating means preferably are adapted also to open the jaws and to lower the platform and cooperate with a timing device which introduces a predetermined delay between on the one hand the closing of the jaws and the raising of the platform and on the other hand the opening `of the jaws and the lowering of the platform.

Thus, where the actuating means include the axially displaceablel and rotatable shaft hereinbefore referred to, the platform is maintained automatically in its molding position by the action of the timing device for as long as is required to. ensure complete vulcanization of the rubber sole. As soon as vulcanization is complete, the gear member is set in rotation in the reverse direction with the result that first the shaft is displaced axially to cause the opening of the jaws and thereafter it is set in rotation to cause the descent of the platform. The operating mechanism of the platform may be operated by hydraulic or mechanical or electrical means.

With the above and other objects in view one embodiment of the invention, by way of example, is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken through one of the operational stations of the machine;

2. is a side view of the machine with parts omitted for greater clarity;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one operating station.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view with certain parts in, cross-section of certain elements of the machine with parts omitted illustrating the details thereof;

Fig. 5 is aside view of the control shaft together with a fragmentary view of the bridge supporting arms illustrating the two limit positions of such arms. during the operation of the machine;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a type of last which may be used;

Fig. 'l is a perspective View of the entire machine illustrating the two operating stations.

Fig. 8 isa fragmentary perspective view of both operating stations;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken upon sec,- tion line 9--5 of Fig, 1.0A illustrating one type of heating means that may be used for thev platform for applying the unvulcanized rubber against the bottom of the upper upon a last;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view upon section line IG--I of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through a, pair of cooperating, jaws wherein electrical resistances are used for accomplishing the vulcanization;

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken upon section line 12,-12 of Fig. 1l;-

Fig. 13 is a. view similar to, Fig. l1 but illustrating a modified construction of the jaws wherein water or steam is used for supplying the heat for vulcanization;

Fig. 14 is a, cross-sectional View taken `upon section line M--M of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15.A is; a cross-sectional viewY taken. upon section line A-A of Fig. 16 looking upwardly in the direction of the arrows of a water or steam heated platform to be used in conjunction with the jaws shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken on the section. line Iwl. of Fig., 15.;

Fig. 17 is; a cross-sectional view taken upon section line A-A of Fig. 16 looking downwardly in the direction of the arrows:

Fig. 18 illustrates a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a detail showing the type of coupling that may be used for the inlet of water or steam on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 19 isk a cross-sectional view of a hydraulic gauge used in cooperation with electrical switches for controlling the pressure applied during different periods of vulcanization;

Fig. 20 is a top plan view of the gauge shown in Fig. 19; and

Fig. 21 is a wiring diagram for securing the proper vsecuential operation of. the various; elements of the machine.

In the various figures similar reference characters indicate like parts.

The machine is adapted to vulcanize two shoes simultaneously as. clearly appears from Figs. '1 and 8. In` Figs. 1, 2 and 4 only one operating station is. shown but the other station is exactly similar thereto.

Referring to Fig. l a xed horizontal frame I- is fixed to the stand 2. At each side of the ma. chine the ends of a pair of jaws 3 are sl-idable in guide members consisting of a casting 4 and two head plates 4' xed to the part 4 by screws.

. The jaws are connected to the sides of the frame I by means of struts 5 3) the ends of which are pivotally connected by means of pivoted joints tand 1. to the sides. of the frame and 0f said jaws respectively. The jaws have their borders 8 so contoured as both to embrace the lower part of a shoe upper required tobe united by vulcanization to a rubber sole and also to mold the edge of the sole.

The guide members. 4 are fixed by screws to' a rocking bridge, comprising, a, head 9. and` two def; pending arms II.. In the head 9 is provided a space. l0 for the last. The two arms I l are piyoted onpins` I2 rigidf with4 a base portion I3 of the frame.

At one side of the frame I, is an actuating screw shaft I4 passing through a gear box. l5 in. which is mounted on journal and thrust bearings a. Worm wheel 1B.. A. hub 17 of the wheel L6 is internally screw threaded and engages. the shaft. A worm I8 cooperates with the, worm wheel I6 and is connected by a shaftfz to. a reversible motor i9A attached to the. frame of the machinev (Fig. 3).

Bearings ZI' supportingA the worm shaft 2,3. are fixed to the. side of the frame through which .the shaft Ill passes. This shaft IA' has near its. inner end a. ball 22 (Figs. 1 and 3). connected by a universal. housing to, a beam 2.3,. rigid with the. guides 4.. An extension 2a or the Shaft m beyond they ball- 22 ends in a universal joint 215 to whichr one end of a shaft 26g is. connected. intermediate sleeve 2l connects the shaft 2lir to a shaft' 2li constituting an extensible prolongation ofthe shaft 26,. SQ that the lengblfn of the composite shaft 26, 2l', 28 can be adjusted to suit the normal operation of the machine. The lower end of the shaft 28 is; connected; by a universal joint 29kt@ a projecting end; 30 of a. shaftV in a gear boxx litt, in which a gear-wheel system is adaptedf to 'im--` part: axial displacements: in lboth directions to: a

screw 32 guided in a cylinder 3-3. A piston 34 lo p. crates in the cylinder 33 to cause the transfer of liquid between the cylinder 33 and two ram chambers, one at each side of the machine. formed in cylindrical bodies 38, only one of which appears in Fig; 2. A port 36 of the cylinder 33 is connected by a pipe with an admission and discharge port 31 in the bottom of each ram chamber 35. A piston 39 isk slidable in the chamber 35 and provided with an elastic packing 40 sealing thepiston with respect to the wall of the chamber 35. The piston 39 constitutes an actuating member for a platform 4| slidable in a direction parallel to the arms |I in the guide 4. A strut 42 is connected by a gudgeon pin 43 with the piston 39 and by a gudgeon pin 44with the base of the platform 4|. Downward movement of the platform is assisted by helical tension springs 45 connected between brackets 46 extending from the body 38 and brackets v41 extending from the piston strut 42. The springs are anchored by hook bolts 48 and 49 which are held in the brackets by means of nuts 50 and 5I serving as tension adjusters.

, The lower face of the bridge head 9 is provided with two lugs 52 having inwardly projecting shoulders adapted to vertically support the last 54. To one of these lugs is hinged a pressure plate 53 to hold the last in position against the upwardly directed thrust produced during the pressing operation. The last is tted with the shoe upper 55,'the base of which is opposed to an upper face '6 of the platform 4|, which face has a contour complementary to that of the lower face of the sole to be vulcanized and united to the shoe upper 55. The face 56 is provided with flutings in accordance with the pattern required to be moulded on the lower face of the rubber sole.

'I'he shaft I4 is provided, at its end projecting outwards from the gear box I 5 with a hand wheel 51 for manual operation in emergency.

Further, the parts of the shaft I4 projecting from the two sides of the gear box I5 are fitted with nuts 58 and 59 which can be adjustably iixed by means of lock-nuts 60 and 6I The nuts 58 and 59 are provided at their faces directed towards the front and back ends 62 and 63 of the hub I1 of the worm wheel I6 (Fig. 1) with abutments 64 and 65 respectively. These abutments are adapted to engage respectively. abutrnerits 66 and v|51 on the hub I1 of the wheel I6 and thereby to initiate rotation of the shaft I4 at the limits of its alternative axial movements.

A source of heat 88 (Fig. 1) which is preferably electrical, is accommodated within the upper part of the platform close under the upper face 56, in order to provide the heat necessary for vulcanization.

The machine so far described operates as follows. It will be assumed that the jaws 3 are open, i. e. in the position shown in Fig. 3. The last -5'4 fitted with the shoe upper 55l is placed between the jaws and the motor I9 is started. The worm I8 rotates the worm wheel I6.

.Owing to the resistance imposed by the platform elevating mechanism to rotation of the screw shaft I4, the hub I1 of the wheel I6, acting as a nut, displaces the shaft .I4 axiallyto the left/as viewed in Figs. l and 3. This displacement causes a like displacement to the left of the beam 23 and of the two sets of guides 4, jaws 3 and platform 4|. Since the guides are fixed to the arms II, the bridges are rocked to the left. .The'struts 5 accordingly approach positions perpendicular to the frame I `and vcause jaws 3 to close graduallyagainst the sides, of the lower part of the shoe uppers. f

When the jaws are completely closed, the shaft I4 reaches the vouter limit of its range of axial displacement and engages the abutment '65 on the f ram chambers 35. Each piston 39 thereupon rises and urges the associated platform 4 I,v on the face of which has been previously placed an un`. vulcanized rubber sole, towards the shoeupper 55 placed on the last 54, which supports the molding pressure by bearing against the plate 53.

When this stage is reached, a timing device described below automatically keeps the platforms stationary for the time necessary. to ef`- fect the vulcanization of the rubber, after which the motor I3 is automatically started inthe re' verse direction. The above-described sequence of operations now takes place in reversedforder. Thus the shaft I4 is axially displaced to the right, the bridges tilt and the jaws 3 open until the abutment E4 on the nut 58 engages the shaft I4 begins to rotate without axial abutment 66 -on the hub I1. Thereupon the shaft I4 begins to rotate without axial displacement and causes the piston 34 to be withdrawn. In this way the platforms 4| are caused to descend until they are stopped by the action of a limit switch described below. When the parts of another pair of shoes have been placed in the machine, 'a new-cycle of operation may be started.

When the upper face 56 of the platform 4| is to be electrically heated, which is the usual construction, it may have the form shown in Figs. 9 and 10. This comprises a suitably contoured casting 10 having a hollowed out portion 1|. The resistance elements 12 are located close to the top surface and are held in place by a plate 13 in which are provided suitable apertures through vwhich extend the terminals 14 for connecting the resistance elements detachably with -a Suitable source of current.

The jaws 3 are constructed as shown in Figs. 1 1 and 12 when electrical heating is employed. Each jaw comprises a hollow casting 15 of the configuration shown having the ends 16 which are slidable in the guide members comprising the casting 4 andthe two plates 4. Resistance elements 11 are located adjacent the interior lateral wall and are maintained in place by the retaining elements 18. The resistance elements are vconnected to the jacks 19 at the forward and rear ends of the jaws. The jacks 19 are connected to an appropriate source of electrical energy and with the construction described any defective re-v sistance elements may be easily replaced by simply removing the retaining plates 18 and replacing. the defective element. y j

When steam or hot water is to be utilizedfor the vulcanizing then in s'uch case the jaws 3 and the platform 4I may have a construction such as that shown in Figs. 13 tol 18 inclusive. `The casting for a jaw 3 has a conguration somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 11 but in this case v inlets 8|, and outlets 82 for the water or steam are provided and the interior lateral wall of the jaw is provided with ns 83 for better utilization of the heat atthe interior lateral wall.` The water or steam compartments 84 are` closed at the asia-rsi totffty ingerir "s1-,ting piates'- as secured te the casting-ill) by'screws 86. A coupling member 81 is threaded into the inlet and outlet 'apertures 8| and 82 which is connected in turn to a suitable source of steam'or water by a ilexible connection.

The platform cooperating` with the jaws shown in Figs. 13 and 14 is shown in Figsl, 16, and 17. The platform 90 A'comprises a hollow casting 9| provided with ns 92 under its upper surface and the steam or water compartment 93 is closed by'a tightly fitting plate 94 secured to the casting V9| by screws 95. The plate 94 is provided with the inlet and outlet openings S6 for steam or water and Va coupling member 9'! similar to 8'! is threaded into lsuch openings for connection to a suitable source of steam or water supply y 'In Fig.' 6 a last 98 is shown of metal which is hollow and which has extending into the interior a tube `Eil-l with an exterior end 89'. The end 99"'may be connected by a flexible connection to a cooling supply such as water so as to prevent any damage to the upper material during vulcanization. A coupling 99" is also provided in the last98 which will permit evacuation of the cooling iiuid from the last.

The electrical control and 'wiring eration will be set forth.

A rst clock and timing mechanism is shown 2 at and comprises the relay H32, the mercury switch |03 and the return damping ,device `IM regulatable by the regulator .m5-which controls the entry of air into the device which containsa piston. .When the relay H32 is energized the-'mercury switch |63 iS, quickly thrown and then the return of the mercury switch |03 to the position shown in Fig. zi'wiii take piace in the period ofA time for .which the regulator |05 may be set; l This period is generally about three minutes. .fAt |06 a similar clock land timing mechanism is shown comprising a relayv |02', a mercury switch |03' andelements |04 and |05. correspending-to elements |04 and |05 respectively. .HA .contact relay is shown atj||l1 and comeV prises the coil its and the contacts we. `v vheri the'c'oii los is venergized the 'contacts los winne separated and upon deenergization connection i will again bemade by the contacts |09;

Another contact relay is shown at iin and when its coil is energized the contacts willbe'disconnected and the contacts at ||2 will be connected.v Upon deenergization of the coil i connection will be made by the contacts ||3 and .disconnection at the conta-cts |2.

l Means for reversing the current to the motor I areshown at 'i I4 and H5. The relay |||S`op crates the element ||4 for connecting the motor for direct drive and the relay |1 operates the element' l' l 5V for` connecting themotor for reverse eentaetreiay us eperateaby the @ou ne connectsthe heatingre'sistances vto the current fuses [zu safeguard short circuits in'the lines connecting the above elements and devices. .A switch 12| vcontrols the' current to theV electrical ,controllines anda pressl button switch |22 initiates theopferationof the machine.` In order tochahgeat any umetne direction of oper- 8. ation of the machine a changeover -or reverse switch |23 is provided. In addition a switch |24 is provided for controlling the heating resistances independently.

At the front of the machine the advance-switch |25 is located so that when the vbeam 23 xed to the guides d advances, contact is established between the contacts |26 and |21 momentarily and as the advance continues contact is established between the contacts |28 and |29 which remains during the vulcanizing operation.

A pressure gauge contact is shown at |30 and this gauge is set generally to make contact at atmospheres. lt will of course make contact at whatever pressure it is set for. A switch mechanism is also shown at |3| which is operated by the hydraulic pressure gauge shown in Figs. 19 and 20 which is in connection with the ram chambers 3E. In the switch mechanism |31 the bridge |32 establishes contact between the contacts |35 and |36 at 20 atmospheres and between |33 and |34 at 25 atmospheres. The bridge |31 maintains contact between the contacts |38 and |33 from zero to 6) atmospheres. When a pressure of 60 atmospheres is exceeded, Contact is broken between the contacts |38 and ISE,l but this contact is again reestablished when the pressure returns to 60 atmospheres.

The return switch |48 is located at the rear of the machine so that upon the return of the beam 23 and the guide l the bridge |l| cuts the contact maintained between contact |42 and |43 during the entire vulcanizing period and the bridge |44 establishes contact between the contacts M5 and ii terminating the operation of the machine.

fi red pilot light Ml is lighted upon the termination of the vulcanizing operation to signal the operator that the finished shoes may now be withdrawn.

When the switch |2| is connected a green pilot light Hifi is lighted indicating the existence of electric currents in the automatic board.

Th main line switch is indicated at |49 which connects the entire machine to the three-phase main line RSTof 22|) Volts. If the main line is of a different voltage then a transformer is insorted.

The fuses |58 safeguard the main circuit.

The heating resistances for the vulcanization are shown atl'l, |52, |53, |555, |55, and |55 and are of 500 watts and volts each and in star connection at the Contact point |57. Of the above six resistances four are for the jaws 3, one for each jaw, and the two remaining are for the platforms 6|, one for each platform.

A thermostat |58 controls the temperature of the above resistances by making or breaking contact at the contacts |59 and |60. The operation of the thermostat |58 may be brought about an auxiliary resistance which is in parallel with the ones previously mentioned or by contact with the containers for said resistances.

A red pilot lamp Ei indicates whether current is being suppiied or not tothe resistances.

The motor |55 is a one horse-power motor 0perable by a three-phase current of 220 volts between phases.

A series of terminals 209, 2li), 2| I, 2|2, 2|3, 2M, 2|5,-2|i5,2-|'|, 2|8., A2|S, and 22D is provided whose function will appear below.

The operation is as follows: The machine is r-st connected to the main line RST by the switch |49. Then the switch |2| is connected which lights the green pilot 9, lamp |84 indicating that currentl has been connected to the automatic board. When it is. desired to actually'st'art the operation of the machine the starting button |22 is pressed and then the following circuit is'established: from phase T of the main line, to the terminal 2|2, to switch"|2|, to terminal 220, to the coillI II actuating the relay III), then to the terminals 2|I, 2| 0 and 209 to the other phase Sv of the main line. When the relay |I'0 is actuated the contacts |2 are connected and the current then coming from the terminal 220 passes over the contacts I|2 and energizes the coil ||6 since the circuit is again closed by passing through the terminals ZII, 2|0 and 209 to the phase S of the main line. When vthe coil ||6 is energized it connects the contact |I4 and the main line three-phase current RST passes over |I4 `to W, U, V and to the motor I9. y When the push button |22 is released the current'does not reach the coils II I and ||6 over the terminal 220 but instead it comes from the switch |2| through the terminal 2 I6 and the contacts |09 to the contact` |I4 at its fourth bridge which has been raised previously and therefore the relays and I|6 continue in operation and the motor I9 is set in direct drive actuating the worm I8, the worm wheel I6 thereby moving the shaft I4 axially which brings about a closing of the jaws 3 on their forward movement.

During this forward movement of the jaws 3 the rear end of the return switch |40 disconnects the contacts I 45"and I 46 thereby extinguishing the red pilot light |41 which indicates the end ofthe vulcanizing period. Contact is .simultaneously made with the contactsIlIZ and |43. When the locking movement of the jaws 3 terminates the forward end of the advance switch |25 is actuated thereby producing a momentary contact between the contacts |26 and |21 so that the current coming from the switch |2|, to the terminal 2|6, contacts |09,y fourth bridge of I4, terminal 220, passes from |21 to |26, to the terminal 2| 4 thereby energizing the coil |02,of the first timing mechanism |0| as well Aas the coil |02 of the second timing mechanism which is in parallel, and then the circuit is closed through the terminals 2|I, 2|0 and 209 to the line S; At this moment the timing devices of- |0| and |06 are set so that |0| will operate in about three minutes and |06 will operatev in about twelve minutes. 'I'he contact between |26 and |21 is only momentary and afterwards toward the end of the advance movement of the jaws, contact isestablished and remains established lbetween the contacts |28 and |29. 1`

As explained above when the jaws 3 are completely closed the shaft I4 no longer has any a-xial movement'- but rotates in order to bring about'the hydraulic compression of the coil in the cylinders 35;

Connected to the cylinders 35 is a small cylinder which acts as a pressure gauge. This gauge is shown in Figs. 19 and 20.

n When the unvulcanized rubber is pressed against the upper it is advantageous to maintainthe pressure at about -25 atmospheresl during the first three minutes in order to prevulcanize the rubber at the closure point and thereby avoid the losses which would be produced by a greater pressure.y As soon as this prevulcanization has been carried out then the pressure is raised to vabout-'75 atmospheres and such pressure is maintained throughout v the rernain'der of the process.' These operations are taken care 1'0 of automatically by the pressure ing with a switch arrangement.

The hydraulic pressure gauge shown in Figs. 19 and 20 comprises a small cylinder 3|6 which isconnected with the ram chambers 35. When such chambers are subjected to pressure'it will raise a small piston 3|8 against the pressure exerted by a spring 3I9. The piston .EEO is eX- tendedbya rod 320 which controls the switches I3I, so as to suitably actuate the motor I9. The piston 3I8 slides in a bore 3|'I provided in the cylinder 3| 6' and the spring 3| 0 is enclosed in a 'cylindrical tube 3|5 which is closed at the top by a plug 32|. vBy suitably adjusting the plug 32| the pressure gauge may be adjusted so as to act at various pressures.

During the initial period of three minutes the switches ,at ISI disconnect the motor when the pressure reaches. atmospheres and then sets thegmotor I9 in operation againl at 20 atmospheres ii any losses should occur thereby keeping the' pressure between these limits.

' After the initial period of three minutes ,which gauge cooperatl takesfcare of theprevulcanization mentioned above the switches `|3| are inoperative and the motor I9 is controlled by other means to increase the pressure until' the contact gauge |30 comes into operation7 and cuts the current for the motor I9 at 75 atmospheres. If there is a pressure loss the motor I9 is again rstarted when the pressure drops t-o atmospheres and in this way the pressure is maintained between 65 and 75 atmospheres until vulcanization is completed when the entire pressure is released.

The switchsystem shown at I 3| operates as follows under the action of the extension 320. When the bridge I32closes the :contact between the contacts |33 and |34the circuit through the terminal 2| 6: passes through the mercury switch |03 which has been set so that the central contact therein connects with the contact at theright hand side, then to the terminal 2I8contacts |33 and |34, the terminal ZI'I, then to the coil |08 energizingthesameand finally through the lterminals v2| I, 2 0 and 209 back to the line S.

When the coil |08 of the relay |01 is energized the contacts |09 are disconnected thereby deenergizing the coil I I and the coil I I6 of theY device I I4. This breaks'th'e mainline connection to the motor I9 and stops the motor. This takes place at 25. atmospheres. l

. If there should be a loss of hydraulic pressure then the bridge |32. of theswitch I3| will descend and make contact between the contacts .|35 and |36. In such case the following circuit would be established: from switch I2| to the terminal 2|6, to the mercury switch |03 which is set to connect the central and right hand contacts, then to the terminal 2I8, then to the contacts |36 and |35 then to the terminal 220 again energizing the relay |I0 and thedevice II 4`as previously describedwith reference to operating the press button I 22 whereby a momentary circuit was established through the terminal 220. The motor I9 is then restarted temporarilysince the bridge` |32 again connects |33 and |34 at which positionas previously, explained the motor circuit was broken.

In the above manner the pressure is maintained between 215 and 20 atmospheres by the bridge |32 rst making contact between the contacts I 33 and |34 and then'between |35 and |36. This only'takes place during the time that the mercury switch '|03 has been set so as to make contact between the central and the right hand termi- `nal which as above explained continues for a period of about three minutes as set by the regulator |05.

After the three minute period the mercury switch is returned to the position shown in Fig. 2l and the central contact connects the terminal at the left hand side and then the following circuit is established: from the switch |2| to the terminal 2|6 thence to the central and left hand terminals of the mercury switch |03 then to the terminal 2|3, then to the contacts |29 and |28, since at the termination of the movement of the jaws towards one another contact became established between |28 and |28, then to the terminal 2|5, then to the central terminal of the mercury switch |233 then to the right hand terminal of the mercury switch |03' since as above explained this mercury switch remains in action for approximately l2 minutes, then to the terminal 2 I 9, then to the contacts |39 and |38 which are connected by the bridge |31, then to the terminal 22d and then in the same manner as previously explained when the press button |22 is operated from terminal 220 to the coil I of the relay energizing the same, then through contacts I|2 to the coil HG energizing the same and then by Way ofthe terminals 2 I I, 2|0 and 209 to the line S. The motor IS therefore is started again within three minutes from the beginning of the operation independently of the position of the bridge |32 of the switch arrangement |3I.

Therefore the motor I0 continues in operation and the current operating the same is not cut off at atmospheres since the bridge |32 connecting the contacts I33 and |34 has no eiiect because the circuit formerly coming through the terminal 218 and the right hand terminal and central terminal of the mercury switch |03 is broken. The motor I0 therefore continues in operation to increase the hydraulic pressure in the ram chambers until the bridge |31 breaks the connection between the contacts |38 and |39 at 60 atmospheres. The motor I9 continues in operation after the breaking of such connection since the coils Iii and HE are still energized not through the terminal 220 and the bridge |31 which has been broken but as previously explained through the following circuit; from switch |2|, terminal 2 I E, contacts |09 and the fourth bridge of the device H4, with a consequent energization of the coils III and IIB.

'I 'he motor I9 therefore continues in operation even after the circuit has been broken at the bridge |3'I at 60 atmospheres and the motor con-l tinues in 4operation until the contact gauge |30 breaks the circuit at the pressure for which it has been set which is about '75 atmospheres. At such moment the circuit from switch |2| passes over the contact gauge I to the terminal 2I1, to the coil |08 and through the terminals 2|0 and 209 to the line S. In energizing the coil |08 the contacts |03 are broken and since the coils III and IIS were fed through the 4th bridge of the device ||4 and the contacts |09, the circuit to the motor IS is broken.

If there is a drop in pressure in the ram chambers the bridge |31 under the action of the extension 32S will be lowered and make contact again between the contacts |38 and |39. In such case the motor I9 will again be in circuit as previously explained through the terminal 2 I9 and the central and right hand terminals of the mercury switch |03' since the central terminal of mercury switch |33' has not yet been connected with the left hand terminal.

Therefore after the initial iirst three minutes even if losses in pressure should occur the pressure is maintained constant between 60 and '75 atmospheres to the end of the vulcanization period which is calculated to be about 12 minutes from the start.

The reason for carrying out the vulcanization at a low pressure during the initial stage is to bring about a closure of the joints between the upper and the sole and then after such closure has been established to supply the maximum pressure during the remainder of the operation.

After the twelve minute stage the central terminal of mercury switch |03 makes contact with its left hand terminal as shown in Fig. 21 and the circuit is established as follows: From the switch |2| to the terminal 2|5, through the central and left hand terminal of |03, to terminal 2 I3 through contacts |29 and |28, to terminal 2|5, through the central and left hand terminals of mercury switch |03', then to the coil I of the device ||5 then through contacts H3, then through the small bridge of device ||4 then to the terminal 302, then through contacts |43 and |42 through the bridge |41 since at the beginning of the closing of the jaws 3 this contact was established, then to the terminal 30| and thence to the line S.

When the coil ||1 of the circuit above described is energized the device ||5 is actuated and the three-phase line RST is connected to the lines WVU and the motor I9 is rotated in opposite direction thereby initiating the return movement. The hydraulic pressure is removed and the jaws 3 open as explained above. In such case the switch |25 removes the connection between |23 and |23 and comes to the position occupied when the jaws 3 are being opened. However, such movement of the beam 23 and the .guide 4 causes at the rear of the machine a connection between the contacts |45 and |46 by the bridge |44. In such case current from the switch |2| lights the lamp |4'I, passes through the bridge |44 to the terminal 30| which is connected to the line S. The lighting of the red lamp |141 indicates the end of the vulcanizing operation. Finally the return circuit described above is broken when the bridge I4I in the final stage of the movement of the jaws 3 breaks the connection between the contacts |42 and |43 and the operation is finished.

If at any time during the operation of the machine it is necessary to reverse the direction of rotation of the motor I9 it is merely necessary to operate the switch |23 which breaks the connection between the terminals 2|0 and 20S which is essential for the direct operation of the motor and in such case current from switch |2| passes over the switch |23 to the terminal 2|| from which it passes to the coil |I'| which is energized and actuates the device ||5 which drives the motor |9 in opposite direction.

In order to secure the heating of the jaws 3 and the platform |4| the heating switch |24 is closed and a circuit is established as follows:

from the switch |24 to the contacts |60 and |59.

of the thermostat |58. If such thermostat is cold then the current passes to the coil ||9 which makes the necessary connection with the main line. Energization of the coil I|9 connects the lines RST to the terminals 308, 301, and 306 and thence to the resistances.' Simultaneously the through the terminal 30| and the line S.

When the resistances havere'ached the desired temperaturethe thermostat lybreaks the connection between the contacts ISD and |59 and this brings about a deenergization 'of the coil ||9 which breaks the connection of the resistances to the main` line as well as the circuit 'of the light IGI. When the thermostat has cooled suiiiciently it again connects the contacts |59 and |60 and in this way a predetermined constant temperature is maintained by the resistances.

It is thought that the invention and its advantages will be understood from the foregoingdescription and it is apparent that various changes may be made in the form,l construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacricing its material advantages, the forni hereinbefore described land illustratedin the drawings being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

1. An automatic vulcanizing machine comprising a last upon which a shoe-to which a sole is to be vulcanized is mounted, a frame, a bridge pivotally mounted in the lower portion of said frame, guide'members fixed to said bridge, means for reciprocating said guide members, lateral compression elements slidably mounted in said guide members, said compression elements being pivotally connected to said frame so that upon reciprocation of said guide members said compression members Will be reciprocated in a direction atright angles to the reciprocation of said guide members and a ram for compressing the rubber against said sole when said compression elements have moved to their compression position. y f

2. An automatic vulcanizing machine comprising a last lupon which a shoe to which a sole is to be vulcanized is mounted, a frame, a bridge pivotally mounted in the lower portion of said frame, guide members xed to said bridge, means for reciprocating said guide members, lateral compression elements slidably mounted in said guide members, said compression elements being pivotally connected to said frame so that upon reciprocation of said guide members said compression members will be reciprocated in a direction at right angles to the reciprocation of said guide members, said guide members upon reciprocation oscillating said bridge and a ram for compressing the rubber against said sole when said compression elements have moved to their compression position. A

3. An automatic vulcanizing machine comprising a last upon which a shoe to which a sole is to be vulcanized is mounted, a frame, a bridge pivotally mounted in the lower portion of said frame, guide members iixed to said bridge, means for reciprocating said guide members, lateral compression elements slidably mounted in said guide members, said compression elements being pivotally connected to said frame so that upon reciprocation of said guide members said compression members will be reciprocated in a direction at right angles to the reciprocation of said guide members, said guide members oscillating said bridge upon their reciprocation, a ram for compressing the rubber against said sole when said compression elements have moved to their compression position and means for operating said ram controlled by said reciprocating means for said guide members.

4. An automatic vulcanizing machine comprising a last upon which a shoe to which a sole is to be vulcanized is mounted, a framel a lbridge pivotally mounted in the lower portion of saidV frame, guide members xed to said bridge, means for reciprocating said guide members, lateral compression elements slidably mounted in saidguide members, said compression elementsvbeing pivotally'connected to said frame so that upon reciprocation of said guide members said compression members will be reciprocated in a direction at right angles to the reciprocation of said guide members, a ram elevating mechanism for said ram and means for actuating said elevating mechanism when said compression elements have reached their compression position.

5. An automatic vulcanizing machine comprising a last upon which a shoe to which aisole is to be vulcanized is mounted, a frame, a bridge pivotally mounted in the lower portion of said frame, guide members fixed to said bridge, means for reciprocating said guide members, lateral-'compression elements slidably mountedin said guide members, said compression elements being pivotally connected to said frame so that upon reciprocation of said guide members said compression members will be reciprocated in a direction at right anglesy to thevreciprocation of said guide members and a controlV motor for operating said reciprocating means for said guide members.

6. In an automaticshoe machine for vulcanizing a sole to an upper, a last supportedin said machine upon which the upper of a shoe is placed,l means for oscillating said last about a X'edpoint, lateral compression elements oscillated with said last, means for reciprocating said compression elements at rightangles to the oscillation of said last, a ram for compressing unvulcanized` rubber against said last, meansl for holding said last inposition against pressure of'unvu'lcanized rubber, and means for first moving said compression element towards said last and then said ram toward said last.

7. In an automatic vulcanizing machine comprising a last supported in said machine upon which a shoe to which a sole is to be vulcanized is mounted, a frame, a bridge pivotally mounted in the lower portion of said frame, guide members Xed t0 said bridge, means for oscillating said guide members, lateral compression elements slidably mounted in said guide members, said compression elements being pivotally connected to said frame so that upon oscillation of said guide members said compression members will be reciprocated in a direction at right angles to the oscillation of said guide members, a ram for compressing unvulcanized rubber against said sole when said compression elements have moved to their compression position and means for holding said last in position against pressure of unvulcanized rubber.

8 In an automatic vulcanizing machine, a last supported in said machine upon which a shoe to which a sole is to be vulcanized is mounted, a frame, a bridge pivotally mounted in the lower portion of said frame, guide members xed to said bridge. means for oscillating said guide members, lateral compression elements slida-bly mounted in said guide members, said compression elements being pivotally connected to said frame so that upon oscillation of said guide members said compression members will be reciprocated in a direction at right angles to the oscillation of said guide members, said guide members upon oscillation oscillating said bridge and a ram for compressing the rubber against said sole operable by the movement of said bridge, and means for holding said last in position against pressure of unvulcanized rubber.

'15 9. In an automatic shoe machine for vulcanizing a sole to an upper, a last supported in said machine upon which the upper of ashoe is placed, means for oscillating said last about a fixed point,

lateral compression elements oscillated with said last, means for reciprocating said compression elements at right angles to the oscillation of said last, a ram for compressing unvulcanized rubber against; said last, means for holding said last in position against pressure of unvulcanized rubber, means for moving said compression elements toward said last, means for then moving said ram toward said last under pressure and then after a predetermined period under a higher pressure.

10. In an automatic shoe machine for vulcanizing a sole to an upper, a last supported in said machine upon which the upper of a shoe is placed, means for oscillating said last about a fixed point, lateral compression elements oscillated with said last, means for reciprocating said compression elements at right angles to the oscillation of said last, a ram for compressing unvulcanized rubber against said last, means for holding said last in position against pressure of unvulcanized rubber, means for moving said compression elements toward said last, means for then moving said ram toward said last under pressure, then after a predetermined period under a higher pressure and means for heating said ram and compression elements.

11. A machine for uniting by vulcanization a rubber sole to an upper of a boot or shoe, characterized in that the machine includes a rigid frame, a rockable bridge comprising a head having on its under side means for the attachment of a last in an upright position, the bridge also comprising two depending arms pivotally connected at their .lower ends to said frame.,- guides rigidly mounted on said bridge and supporting .a pair of jaws which are adapted to shape the two side edges of the sole and which are slidable to-v Wards and away from each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of rocking movement of the bridge, means cooperating with the jaws and the frame to urge the jaws together in response to rocking movement of Athe bridge, a platform which is adapted to shape the under side of the so1e the platform being provided with heating means and connected to an elevating device mounted in the frame. and actuating means to displace the bridge so as to close ,the jaws and to operate vthe elevating device so as to raise the platform into position to compress the sole against the last.

12. A machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the said means for urging the jaws together are constituted by struts each pivotally connected to one of the jaws and to the frame.

GONZALO MEDIANO CAPDEVLA-.-`

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 574,239 'Butterfield Dec. 29, 1896 1,085,296 Perkins Jan. 27, 1914 1,770,655' Nielsen July l5, 1930 1,989,853 Firm Feb. 5, 1935 1,994,278 Halsall et a1 Mar. 12, 1935 2,313,623 Bungay Mar. 9,1943

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 617,211 Great Britain Feb. 2, 1949 

